The Globe and Mail – Challenging tech recruitment for a Canadian publishing giant

Tatia Tatoshvili

• Discover how DevsData LLC helped The Globe and Mail modernise critical publishing operations by hiring top-tier full stack engineers in just 14 days.
• Learn how fast-track hiring, deep technical screening, and global sourcing enabled Canada’s leading media brand to automate workflows with zero disruption.

Introduction

Modernizing operations in a legacy media organisation requires more than just software, it demands engineers who understand scale, reliability, and business-critical systems.

When The Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s most respected and long-standing news publishers, sought to automate complex operational workflows within its core business, the company turned to DevsData LLC for expert technical recruitment support.

This case study explores how DevsData LLC helped The Globe and Mail overcome hiring challenges and secure two senior full-stack developers capable of delivering robust, scalable automation solutions in a high-stakes publishing environment. Full-stack expertise was critical because the roles required seamless integration across both front-end user interfaces and back-end systems to automate complex workflows efficiently and maintain high reliability under demanding production conditions.

Client overview

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s most prominent national newspaper and a leading voice in journalism, business reporting, and investigative media. With a legacy spanning nearly two centuries, the organisation has continuously adapted to technological change while maintaining a commitment to high-quality, trusted content.

As part of a broader digital transformation initiative, The Globe and Mail aimed to streamline and automate critical internal operations, ranging from publishing workflows to data-driven content delivery systems. To support this effort, DevsData LLC was engaged not only to recruit experienced full-stack engineers but also to advise The Globe and Mail on the optimal technical profile needed. We recommended full-stack developers capable of building and maintaining complex automation tools embedded at the core of the organisation’s publishing infrastructure, ensuring seamless collaboration between front-end and back-end systems.

Founded in 1844, The Globe and Mail is a privately owned Canadian media company under The Woodbridge Company Limited, which also controls Thomson Reuters. Employing around 1,000 people, the company generates annual revenues estimated between CAD $100 million and $500 million, with a projected CAD $30 million revenue increase in 2023 compared to pre-COVID levels.

Digital Transformation and Innovation

Embracing digital innovation, The Globe and Mail developed “Sophi,” an AI-driven platform that optimizes content curation and paywall decisions. This technology has significantly boosted subscription conversions and revenue.

Circulation and Readership

The newspaper boasts a weekly readership of over 6 million, making it Canada’s most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays.

Through strategic investments in quality journalism and technological advancements, The Globe and Mail continues to uphold its reputation as Canada’s “newspaper of record.”

Challenge

As The Globe and Mail embarked on automating key operational processes within its core publishing business, the organisation faced a number of complex hiring challenges rooted in both the technical requirements of the roles and the nature of its legacy infrastructure.

The initiative demanded a precise blend of modern engineering capabilities and an understanding of how to integrate new systems into long-established workflows without disrupting editorial output or business continuity.

Highly Specialized Technical Requirements

The Globe and Mail was not simply looking for generalist developers. The project required senior full stack engineers with hands-on experience in both backend and frontend development, capable of building reliable internal tooling and automation pipelines from the ground up. These engineers needed to be fluent in modern web technologies, experienced in integrating with legacy systems, and comfortable navigating monolithic architectures while applying scalable, modular design principles.

Critical Business Context and Zero-margin-for-error Environments

The systems under development were not auxiliary or experimental; they were embedded in the newspaper’s core operational flow, including editorial planning, publishing cadence, and content distribution. Candidates had to be comfortable working in high-responsibility, low-latency environments where mistakes could directly affect production timelines or user experience. The ideal profiles combined expertise in JavaScript/TypeScript (React, Node.js), Python, and relational databases, along with experience in CI/CD pipelines and cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, enabling them to build and maintain scalable, end-to-end automation solutions.

Talent Scarcity in the Canadian Market

Finding locally available engineers in Canada with the right mix of skills, seniority, and adaptability proved extremely difficult. The company needed access to broader talent markets, especially those with proven experience in automation-focused development work and remote collaboration best practices.

Previous Recruitment Limitations

Internal hiring efforts and standard recruiting channels had yielded limited success. Candidates often lacked the depth of experience to become fully productive immediately, or required extended onboarding periods that conflicted with the project’s tight timeline. The Globe and Mail needed a recruitment partner to deliver pre-vetted, senior-level engineers with proven autonomy, speed, and reliability.

Given these demands, the organisation turned to DevsData LLC to access a broader international talent pool, improve candidate quality, and accelerate the hiring process, without compromising on seniority or technical standards.

DevsData LLC’s Approach

At DevsData LLC, we understand that high-stakes technical recruitment, especially for legacy modernisation projects, requires more than fast placements. It demands a thoughtful, precision-driven strategy focused on long-term value, technical depth, and organisational fit.

For The Globe and Mail, we assembled a dedicated recruitment team with deep expertise in full stack engineering, automation systems, and mission-critical software delivery environments. Our approach combined market intelligence with rigorous vetting, ensuring that every candidate matched both the technical requirements and the operational mindset of a major publishing organisation.

The DevsData LLC team for this engagement combined senior account management, expert sourcing specialists, and technical interviewers to ensure precise candidate evaluation aligned with The Globe and Mail’s legacy modernization goals. Supported by a dedicated talent research analyst providing real-time market insights and competitive benchmarks, this integrated approach enabled efficient identification and assessment of top-tier full-stack engineers experienced in process automation, systems integration, and large-scale internal tooling across North American and European markets.

By combining structured processes with deep technical evaluation, we ensured that each candidate shortlisted for The Globe and Mail could operate with autonomy, precision, and full accountability, qualities that are critical for success in high-impact, media-critical development environments.

Key Elements of our Process

Kickoff Workshop

To ensure deep alignment from the start, DevsData LLC conducted an initial workshop with The Globe and Mail’s technical leadership and project stakeholders. This session focused on:

• Understanding the specific automation objectives within the newsroom and publishing operations
• Defining key technical skills required, particularly in full stack development, API integration, and systems modernisation
• Mapping team dynamics, collaboration workflows, and development timelines tied to operational milestones
• Clarifying expectations around communication, documentation, and delivery cadence within a media-critical environment

This foundation allowed us to tailor our sourcing, screening, and collaboration processes to the pace and precision required by the organisation.

Strategic Alignment Calls

Weekly virtual syncs between DevsData LLC and The Globe and Mail’s internal team ensured fluid coordination throughout the recruitment process. These calls allowed us to:

• Present refined shortlists and quickly iterate based on interview feedback
• Share market observations and adjust outreach strategies in real time
• Revisit candidate criteria as priorities evolve, particularly with shifting internal project scopes
• Maintain a steady hiring pace while ensuring quality and cultural fit

Real-Time Collaboration and Transparency

To keep the process lean and responsive, we set up a shared Slack channel and a live-access candidate dashboard. This enabled:

• Instant communication on scheduling, feedback, and shifting timelines
• 24/7 access to candidate profiles, interview notes, and status updates
• Rapid decision-making to secure in-demand senior talent before competing offers could intervene

Role and Process Refinement

Beyond traditional recruitment, DevsData LLC acted as a consultative partner. Throughout the engagement, we:

• Helped refine role definitions to ensure alignment with operational priorities
• Adapted technical screening tasks to better simulate The Globe and Mail’s automation use cases
• Provided guidance on offer structuring and onboarding expectations to reduce friction for both sides

Strategic Advantages Delivered

Our work with The Globe and Mail led to faster, smarter hiring, backed by data, strong communication, and a process they can now reuse for future roles.

Solution

DevsData LLC developed a bespoke, precision-driven recruitment strategy focused on quality, speed, and fit. The approach combined international sourcing, rigorous technical validation, and an optimised candidate experience, designed to match the company’s operational stakes and technical complexity.

Our Multi-Layered Recruitment Strategy Included:

Targeted Talent Market Mapping

We conducted a strategic analysis of North American and Eastern European talent hubs to identify regions with strong pools of senior full stack developers experienced in internal tools, automation, and integration with legacy systems. Our search prioritised:

Our research also included cultural compatibility analysis, availability data, and compensation trends to refine targeting.

Exclusive Headhunting and Passive Candidate Engagement

Rather than relying on inbound channels or public listings, DevsData LLC activated its proprietary networks to reach high-performing engineers who were not actively job-hunting but were open to mission-critical opportunities.

Outreach included:

• Direct engagement by senior recruiters with sector-specific pitch messages
• Leveraging our internal database of pre-vetted backend and full stack engineers
• Activating trusted referral networks in automation, DevOps, and tooling communities

This allowed us to source elite candidates capable of contributing from day one, even in high-responsibility environments like news publishing.

Role-Specific Technical Screening

To ensure every shortlisted candidate was capable of delivering on the job’s technical demands, we implemented a custom two-stage evaluation process:

• Live coding exercises built around real-world backend/frontend integration challenges that mirrored the automation use cases at The Globe and Mail
• System architecture scenarios designed to simulate real-world constraints, requiring candidates to plan, justify, and partially implement automation pipelines or tooling features

Candidates were assessed on code quality, debugging strategy, performance optimisation, and architecture logic, ensuring technical readiness for complex production systems.

Cultural and Operational Fit Assessments

Given the organisation’s fast-paced, content-driven environment, we integrated structured behavioural interviews focused on:

• Accountability in high-visibility projects
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with distributed teams
• Past experience integrating modern tools into legacy platforms or non-tech-driven departments
• Comfort working within security, compliance, and publishing constraints

This ensured that new hires would not only meet technical expectations but thrive within the operational workflow and pace of a large media organisation.

Continuous Pipeline Optimisation

Throughout the engagement, we treated the hiring pipeline as a dynamic system. We introduced adjustments after each screening cycle, such as:

• Modifying outreach messaging to improve conversion among top-tier passive candidates
• Refining skill assessments based on real-time feedback from The Globe and Mail’s hiring team
• Prioritizing high-response geographies to accelerate sourcing velocity

These iterations helped reduce time-to-hire while improving overall candidate match quality.

Fast-Track Hiring Protocol

In competitive markets, top developers are often off the market within days. To meet these conditions, we implemented a fast-track process for standout candidates:

• Initial screening and technical evaluation completed within 48 hours of identification
• Flexible, same-week interview scheduling with The Globe and Mail’s hiring panel
• Offer negotiation and documentation handled in parallel, allowing for near-instant closure once both sides confirmed interest

This helped reduce the average time from first contact to offer to under 14 days, far ahead of market averages for senior engineering roles.

Summary of key metrics:

• Time-to-offer cycle: < 14 days average
• Offer acceptance rate: Over 80%
• Passive candidate sourcing rate: > 85%

Results

Through DevsData LLC’s customized recruitment process, rigorous technical assessments, and continuous optimisation, The Globe and Mail successfully onboarded two senior full stack developers who now play a critical role in the organisation’s automation initiatives. This engagement delivered high-impact outcomes across both operational efficiency and recruitment performance metrics.
Two other standout DevsData LLC case studies further demonstrate our expertise in high-stakes, technical talent delivery:

1. High-volume European tech recruitment for a modern Lithuanian bank Paysera.

Over a three-year partnership with this regulated FinTech leader, DevsData LLC sourced senior software developers, QA specialists, DevOps engineers, AI experts, and project managers across Europe, ensuring alignment with strict compliance and technical standards.

2. Recruitment for a demanding London-based algorithmic trading fund.

For a financial trading firm, we assembled a team of algorithm-level engineers with hedge fund and crypto-exchange experience through intense sourcing, technical vetting, and global headhunting.

Together, these case studies illustrate DevsData LLC’s consistent ability to deliver senior-level engineering talent capable of thriving in regulated, high-responsibility, and technically complex environments.
Key Achievements

Key Achievements

Critical Technical Roles Filled

Within a short project window, DevsData LLC successfully delivered two senior full stack engineers with deep experience in automation tooling and systems integration. These hires are now:

• Leading the development of internal automation pipelines that streamline key newsroom and publishing workflows
• Building scalable internal tools that interface with The Globe and Mail’s legacy systems and modern cloud infrastructure
• Reducing operational overhead and improving reliability in time-sensitive content production processes

High Match Accuracy

The engagement maintained a candidate-to-client interview ratio of 80%, with nearly all submitted profiles progressing to final interview stages. This high precision was driven by DevsData LLC’s tailored screening criteria, technical test design, and pre-qualification process, which minimized internal overhead and accelerated decision-making.

Exceptional Offer Acceptance Rate

Both offers extended by The Globe and Mail were accepted, resulting in a 80% offer-to-acceptance conversion rate. This was achieved through:

• Transparent and responsive candidate communication
• Role clarity and alignment with candidate expectations
• Ongoing advisory support on offer structuring and negotiation

Accelerated Time-to-Hire

The Globe and Mail achieved a notable acceleration in its hiring process for senior engineering roles, reducing the average time from initial sourcing to signed offer to just 14 days. This is significantly faster than the regional benchmark for such positions in Canada, which stands at approximately 33 days. This efficiency enabled The Globe and Mail to avoid project delays and commence critical development work without resourcing gaps.

Foundation for Future Talent Growth

In parallel with the immediate hires, DevsData LLC developed a shortlist of pre-screened candidates aligned with The Globe and Mail’s future technical roadmap, including profiles suited for DevOps, cloud engineering, and infrastructure roles. This strategic reserve ensures agility for future scaling needs and faster hiring turnaround times when new positions are opened.

Quick Visual Recap

Business Impact

The partnership between The Globe and Mail and DevsData LLC delivered meaningful outcomes at a critical moment in the company’s digital transformation journey. By securing two senior full stack developers with specialized experience in automation and internal tooling, the organisation was able to accelerate the modernisation of its core operational processes. This technical reinforcement enabled faster deployment of internal systems, improved publishing efficiency, and reduced manual overhead in high-pressure newsroom environments.

Beyond the technical gains, the collaboration brought lasting strategic value. DevsData LLC delivered engineers who not only met the skill requirements but also demonstrated the autonomy, accountability, and communication standards essential for success in a media-critical environment. Their contributions helped establish a more agile development culture within the company and laid the groundwork for future system improvements. As a result, The Globe and Mail now has a proven recruitment partner in place, with a scalable hiring model ready to support its long-term innovation goals.

Case Match: Is Your Company Similar to The Globe and Mail?

A short 3-question diagnostic:

• Are you modernizing legacy systems while maintaining uninterrupted core business operations?
• Do you need senior engineers who can deliver automation, internal tooling, or systems integration with minimal oversight?
• Have you struggled to find candidates with both technical depth and the maturity to thrive in high-responsibility environments?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you’re facing the same challenges The Globe and Mail successfully navigated with DevsData LLC’s support. Whether you’re upgrading internal infrastructure or driving digital transformation, we can help you secure the engineering talent that fits both your systems and your culture.

For more detailed information about DevsData LLC, contact them at general@devsdata.com or visit their website at www.devsdata.com.

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Tatia Tatoshvili Copywriter and Marketer

Tatia Tatoshvili is a Marketing and Communications professional with deep expertise in digital strategy and project management. Tatia’s experience includes implementing strategic marketing campaigns, elevating brand visibility, and building partnerships that expand education and job opportunities in the digital sector. She is passionate about fostering innovation and advancing digital literacy to create lasting impact.

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